Picture of Fat Rafael Dos Anjos: https://goo.gl/YB3J47
Written Breakdown: https://creators.co/@RapidMMA/4107079
#ufc229 #TeamMcGregor #TeamKhabib
Personally, I wouldn't bet on this fight because the outcome hinges on too many variables and intangibles but if you're feeling risky, Eddie Alvarez is your guy, unquestionably. Don't let Eddie's fights in the UFC fool you. Do your homework and watch Eddie's fights, you'll become an instant fan. Eddie Alvarez is the guy we've been waiting for to test Conor McGregor and in more ways than one and at the correct weight class. Eddie's wrestling is top notch, he has a hell of a right hand and it's very powerful, great uppercuts, heavy kicks and his jiu jitsu is high level. He's working with Mark Henry, tightening up his game and making better decisions. Although he gets rocked in fights, he's not getting KO'd and I think he's straying away from that brawling style more. He has a championship mentality and his style is beginning to reflect that. Eddie has more ways to win this fight and it would be naive to think that he would only win by wrestling. Eddie's resume proves he can knock anyone out. Eddie is, once again, being over looked in this fight, he should be the betting favorite and I hope as we draw near the numbers reflect that. I'd be incredibly surprised if professional fighters, coaches and analysts picked Conor to win. Not only because most of them don't anyway but because Eddie is what we've been waiting to see. Someone who can stand and bang, has the size, cardio, heart, chin and grappling.
I do think, however, it's an oversight to completely throw out Conor's take down defense and grappling. I have no doubts he'll get taken down but I do think the BJJ will play a larger role than we're assuming. Hopefully, Eddie is able to teach us a lot about Conor in this fight.
Personally, I'm picking Conor to win via first round TKO. I feel like there may be similarities to the Chad Mendes fight. Yet, I have to assume Conor has only grown in his ability to defend takedowns over the years. He has fought styles similar to Eddie Alvarez but Eddie presents a different style of footwork and toughness, so I think Conor will have to overcome some adversity. This is a style of grappling Conor will need to get used to because Eddie is the prototype boxer/wrestler. If Conor can't handle Eddie's grappling, he may need to consider going back down to featherweight.
If this fight goes beyond 2 or 3 rounds, I think it heavily begins to favor Eddie. I do hope Eddie stands and trades with Conor because I'm curious to see how his footwork stacks against Conor's style. I think Eddie's pure boxing mechanics are great and he may be able to land bombs on Conor. I'm not sure why people are discounting Eddie so much in the striking. There is no guarantee Conor's left hand will KO him.
I think Conor will pressure Eddie Alvarez and land precise right hooks, left uppercuts and straight lefts. When Eddie strikes back, Conor will find a home for his devastating counters. Eddie generally gets rocked but recovers well. I do think Eddie will shoot in but I think Conor should be able to defend, at least early. The pressure will continue until Conor puts Eddie Alvarez away. People talk of Conor's power but it's a combination of speed, precision, timing and movement. I think Conor will revert back to the style he used at featherweight. Light on his feet with a bladed and wide stance. This boxing-karate hybrid style is quite different than what most fighters are used to seeing. Conor is quick and he has the reach advantage. There may not be enough time for Eddie to adjust to this - that may be a little too late. That's why I'm picking Conor to win.
Extended Research and Articles:
Firas Zahabi's Breakdown - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTJypPbwGpY
Eddie Alvarez vs Michael Chandler I: http://bellator.spike.com/fight/hjohlw/bellator-58-michael-chandler-vs-eddie-alvarez-i
Eddie Alvarez vs Michael Chandler II: http://be
